Airbus says China to buy 70 A320 planes worth US$6.6b

[Paris] Airbus said on Friday that China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) has signed an agreement to buy 70 A320 family aircraft, an order worth US$6.6 billion at list prices.

The order reflects the strong demand from Chinese carriers for single-aisle aircraft for domestic, low cost, regional and international operations, the European aircraft manufacturer said.

"We are grateful to China for its strong vote of confidence in our leading A320 family aircraft, and are happy to see them assembled at our Chinese facilities," Airbus chief executive Fabrice Bregier said in a statement.

Airbus has already assembled and delivered 190 A320 aircraft from a facility in China's Tianjin Free Trade Zone.

It said it had also signed a letter of intent with its Chinese partners to build a similar facility for A330 family aircraft, wide-body planes that can carry over 400 passengers.

"In its 30 years history the Airbus partnership with China keeps on growing and expanding," Mr Bregier said.

The letter of intent was signed on Friday in Berlin with the heads of the Tianjin Free Trade Zone and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China in a ceremony witnessed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

"The intended establishment of an A330 Completion and Delivery Centre will add a new exciting chapter to our longstanding track record of mutual achievements," added Mr Brieger.

-AFP